Bath apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall structure has a contact area adapted to be exposed when fluid is contained in the bath chamber. A heating member is provided on the contact area for providing heat, such as infrared rays, to the body part when the body part is placed on the contact area. In addition, the bath apparatus can include at least one massage attachment adapted to be received on the contact area for massaging the body part when the body part engages the massage attachment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/047,701 filed Jan. 25, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/631,643 filed Aug. 2, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,385, 795.

Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for bathing body parts,such as the feet or hands.

Background Art

[0003] Most people experience foot problems at some time in their lives.This is not surprising, considering that many people are employed injobs that require them to be on their feet all day. In fact, even anaverage day of walking can exert force equal to several hundred tons ofpressure on the feet.

[0004] In an attempt to alleviate a variety of podiatric problems,bathing of the feet has become a recognized therapeutic method. Forexample, soaking soothes the feet and aids in recovery from fatigue.Bathing of the feet also stimulates the circulation of bloodtherethrough, which results in increased metabolism and excretion. Inaddition, foot bathing facilitates the removal of painful growths suchas calluses, bunions, and corns.

[0005] Many types of foot baths have been utilized as therapeuticdevices for the feet. Typically, foot baths provide heated water forwhich the temperature is maintained via electrical means. In addition,current foot baths often provide massage to the feet through vibrationof the foot bath. Vibratory massage enhances the therapeutic resultsachieved with soaking alone by further increasing circulation, as wellas relaxing and massaging the muscles.

[0006] While heat and vibration applied to the feet in an overall manneris helpful, conventional foot baths are not designed with the capabilityto target specific areas of the feet. For example, it is common for auser to wish to concentrate treatment to a specific part or parts ofhis/her feet such as the ball, heel, or arch. Therefore, a need existsfor a bath apparatus with the capability to focus heat and/or massage atspecific locations of the body. Such a bath apparatus would not onlyallow users to tailor therapy regimens to their individual needs, butwould also increase the speed at which therapy can be accomplished,thereby increasing the convenience for the user.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, it is a principal object according to the presentinvention to provide an apparatus for bathing body parts and providingtargeted therapy, including heat and massage, to the body parts.

[0008] Accordingly, an apparatus is provided for bathing body parts,such as the feet or hands. The bath apparatus includes a bath chamberfor containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body parttherein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structureextending upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall structure has a contactarea adapted to be uncovered by fluid contained in the bath chamber. Aheating member is provided on the contact area for providing heat to thebody part when the body part is placed on the contact area.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heatingmember uses infrared rays. In addition, a heater is provided incommunication with the bath chamber for maintaining the heat of thefluid contained therein. Preferably, the heater includes a rope heatingelement provided underneath the bottom surface of the bath chamber.Furthermore, the bath apparatus includes a pump in communication withthe bath chamber for directing air into the bath chamber to generate airbubbles in the fluid contained within the bath chamber, wherein airflows through a plurality of holes provided in the bottom surface of thebath chamber. Still further, the bath apparatus includes a vibrationassembly in communication with the bath chamber for imparting vibrationto the bath chamber. The vibration assembly includes a motor affixed toan underside of the bath chamber, an output shaft rotatably driven bythe motor, and a counterweight affixed to the output shaft.

[0010] In further accordance with the present invention, the bathapparatus includes at least one massage attachment adapted to bereceived on the contact area for massaging the body part when the bodypart engages the massage attachment. The massage attachment can bestationary, or can be manually rotatable by a user. Alternatively,rotation of the massage attachment can be motorized. In this embodiment,a motor is disposed on the underside of the bath chamber, and themassage attachment is adapted to be received on an output shaft that isrotatably driven by the motor and adapted to be accessible through thecontact area. Optionally, the motorized rotation of the massageattachment can be activated by applied pressure of the body part on themassage attachment.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of different massage attachments areprovided. The massage attachments can include, for example, attachmentswith raised nodes, a roller, a pumice stone, and a brush. A storage unitis provided which is adapted to be attached to the wall structure forstoring the one or more massage attachments therein.

[0012] According to the present invention, an outer housing is providedto encase the bath chamber. Preferably, the bath chamber is generallyU-shaped and the contact area is generally peninsular, such that thecontact area is centrally disposed within the bath chamber. The bathchamber preferably includes a plurality of raised nodes provided on itsbottom surface. Additionally, the bottom surface of the bath chamber caninclude rollers provided thereon, wherein the rollers can be detachablefrom the bottom surface. The bath apparatus can also include a lidadapted to be attached to the wall structure to at least partially coverthe bath chamber.

[0013] The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bath apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bath apparatus of FIG. 1,wherein the wall structure is partially cut away to show a user's footengaging the contact portion;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the pump, heating, and vibrationassemblies located on the underside of the bath chamber;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first stationary massageattachment adapted to be received on the contact portion;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second stationary massageattachment;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roller massage attachment;

[0021]FIGS. 8a and 8 b are fragmentary perspective views of the firststationary massage attachment before and after attachment to the contactportion, respectively;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bathapparatus according to the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the bath apparatus of FIG. 9;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the bath apparatus of FIG.9, wherein the wall structure is partially cut away to show a user'sfoot engaging the contact portion;

[0025]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the bath apparatus of FIG. 9showing a storage unit for the massage attachments hanging from the wallstructure;

[0026]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the pump, heating, vibration, andmassage assemblies located on the underside of the bath chamber;

[0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first rotatable massageattachment adapted to be received on the contact portion;

[0028]FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the first rotatable massageattachment;

[0029]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second rotatable massageattachment which includes a pumice stone;

[0030]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third rotatable massageattachment which includes a brush;

[0031]FIGS. 18a and 18 b are fragmentary perspective views of the firstrotatable massage attachment before and after attachment to the contactportion, respectively;

[0032]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a base plate adapted to bereceived on the bath chamber bottom surface, wherein the base plateincludes rollers rotatably affixed thereto;

[0033]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a base plate without rollers; and

[0034]FIGS. 21a and 21 b are fragmentary perspective views of the rollerbase plate before and after attachment to the bath chamber bottomsurface, respectively.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0035] Referring first to FIGS. 1-8, a bath apparatus constructedaccording to the present invention is depicted and designated generallyby reference numeral 10. Bath apparatus 10 can be used to provide heat,massage, bubbles, and combinations thereof to body parts, such as thefeet. Bath apparatus 10 is preferably constructed from a plasticmaterial so as to be lightweight and portable, as well as durable,leakproof, and corrosion resistant. Although bath apparatus 10 isillustrated and described herein as being particularly adaptable for useas a foot bath, it is understood that bath apparatus 10 of the presentinvention may be used for bathing other body parts, such as the hands.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, bath apparatus 10 includes a bathchamber 12 for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the bodypart, such as the foot, therein. Bath chamber 12 includes a bottomsurface 14 and a wall structure 16 extending upwardly therefrom. Wallstructure 16 terminates in an upper surface 18 that includes a contactportion 20 adapted to be exposed when water is contained in bath chamber12. Bottom surface 14 can be generally parallel to a supporting surfaceon which bath apparatus 10 is placed or, alternatively, bottom surface14 could be slanted downwardly toward the user.

[0037] Bath chamber 12 is of a length and width to accommodate the feetof an adult user, such that sufficient space is provided to permit theuser to readily insert and remove his/her foot and to allow the foot tobe moved about slightly while in position within bath chamber 12. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bath chamber 12 is generally U-shaped andcontact portion 20 is generally peninsular and centrally disposed withinbath chamber 12. With this configuration, a user's feet are received oneither side of peninsular contact portion 20, wherein the feet arespaced apart sufficiently to provide comfortable placement. For use,bath chamber 12 is filled with water such that a user, preferablyseated, submerses his/her feet up to approximately the height of theankles. A user can then easily remove his/her foot for placement oncontact portion 20 for targeted therapy as described below. Of course,it is understood that contact portion 20 can have any location on bathapparatus 10 which remains uncovered by water and is accessible to theuser.

[0038] An outer housing 22 is provided to encase bath chamber 12,wherein outer housing 22 is spaced from bath chamber 12 to provide alocation for housing the various mechanical/electrical assemblies ofbath apparatus 10, as described below with reference to FIG. 4. As bestshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, upper surface 18 of bath chamber 12 includes adownwardly extending flange 24 which aligns with an upwardly extendingflange 26 of outer housing 22. Flanges 24, 26 are secured together byscrews (not shown) to fix bath chamber 12 in position with respect toouter housing 22. The base 28 of outer housing 22 is preferably providedwith feet 30 constructed from a material such as rubber to preventmovement of bath apparatus 10 along a supporting surface.

[0039] Referring again to the top plan view of FIG. 2, bottom surface 14of bath chamber 12 preferably includes a plurality of raised nodes 32which can be of varying sizes. Nodes 32 function to massage the feetupon contact, and also allow water and heat to flow under the feet toimprove blood circulation. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bath apparatus 10further includes a lid 34 adapted to be attached to wall structure 16 toat least partially cover bath chamber 12. As shown, lid 34 is attachedto wall structure 16 by a hinge 36, and includes tabs 38 that aresecurely received in corresponding openings 40 provided on wallstructure 16. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, lid 34 can be positioned topartially cover bath chamber 12 to prevent any accidental splashing ofwater, or lid 34 can be rotated away from bath chamber 12 about hinge 36for ease of inserting and removing the feet and filling bath chamber 12with water. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10, lid134 can simply snap fit over wall structure 16 to be completelyremovable. Lid 34 is preferably constructed from a plastic material, andis sufficiently rigid so that it can be used as a foot rest when onlyone foot is submersed within bath chamber 12.

[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, a selector 42 is located on uppersurface 18 of bath chamber 12, wherein selector 42 is rotatable by auser to selectively provide various combinations of heat, massage, andbubbles to the feet. Wiring interconnects selector 42 with each of themechanical/electrical assemblies described below which are then poweredvia connection of a standard power cord 44 to any 110 V AC outlet. In apreferred embodiment, selector 42 can be set to provide three differentcombinations of bath functions: 1) vibration massage, chamber heat, andtargeted infrared heat; 2) vibration massage, bubbles, chamber heat, andtargeted infrared heat; and 3) bubbles and chamber heat. However, it isunderstood that other combinations are fully contemplated in accordancewith the present invention.

[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the several mechanical/electricalassemblies of bath apparatus 10 of the present invention will now bedescribed. Each of the following assemblies is housed in the spacebetween bath chamber 12 and outer housing 22 and is selectively poweredas determined by the setting of selector 42. First, a heating member 46is provided on contact portion 20 for providing heat to the foot surfacewhen the foot F is placed on contact portion 20. Advantageously, heatingmember 46 provides the capability of focusing heat on the specificregion of the foot desired by the user. According to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, heating member 46 uses infraredrays. Infrared rays allow heat to penetrate deep underneath the surfaceof the skin, causing the pores of the skin to be opened and promotingmetabolism and excretion of the body through increased bloodcirculation. The applied pressure of the foot on heating member 46 canbe adjusted by the user for optimum comfort. Although the surface ofheating member 46 is shown herein to be generally flat, heating member46 could have any contour suitable for contact with a user's foot.

[0042] In addition to heating member 46, a heater is provided incommunication with bath chamber 12. As best shown in FIG. 4, the heaterpreferably includes a rope heating element 48 secured underneath bottomsurface 14 of bath chamber 12. Upon receiving electrical power, asdetermined by selector 42, rope heating element 48 is operable toconduct heat to the water contained within bath chamber 12. The heatedwater maintained by rope heating element 48 relieves tired muscles andpromotes circulation of the blood. Rope heating element 48 is positionedto wind back and forth to substantially cover bath chamber bottomsurface 14. Rope heating element 48 preferably includes insulatedconducting wires, wherein the conductive materials are capable oftransmitting heat to bath chamber bottom surface 14 without generatingtemperatures that exceed the melting point of the plastic material usedto construct bath apparatus 10.

[0043] Bath apparatus 10 further includes a pump 50 in communicationwith bath chamber 12 for directing air into bath chamber 12 to generateair bubbles in the water contained therein. As shown in FIG. 4, pump 50forces air through outlet tubes 52 which are connected to bubble egressstrips 54 formed in bath chamber bottom surface 14. Air is then forcedout of a plurality of egress holes 56 that are provided in bottomsurface 14 along each bubble egress strip 54 to form bubbles B in thewater contained in bath chamber 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Althoughbubble egress strips 54 are shown herein as being linear in shape, anyconfiguration of bubble egress strips 54 and corresponding egress holes56 suitable for generating bubbles in bath chamber 12 can be used inaccordance with the present invention.

[0044] Still further, bath apparatus 10 includes a vibration assembly 58in communication with bath chamber 12 for imparting vibration to bathchamber 12 to provide a massaging effect to the feet. Vibration assembly58 includes a motor 60 affixed to an underside of bath chamber 12, anoutput shaft 62 rotatably driven by motor 60, and a counterweight 64affixed to output shaft 62. Vibration assembly 58 is affixed underneatha central portion of bath chamber 12 by a motor support bracket 66. Whenmotor 60 is electrically powered, rotation of output shaft 62 andattached counterweight 64 imparts vibrations to motor support bracket66, and these vibrations are then transferred to bath chamber 12 and thewater contained therein in order to massage the feet. It is fullycontemplated that variable vibration intensities could be provided inaccordance with the present invention.

[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 5-8, in further accordance with the presentinvention, bath apparatus 10 includes one or more interchangeablemassage attachments 68, 70, 72 adapted to be received on contact portion20 for massaging the foot F upon engagement. As with infrared heatingmember 46, massage attachments 68, 70, 72 advantageously allow formassage to be targeted to specific locations of the foot such as theball, heel, or arch. In greater specificity, attachments 68, 70, 72 eachinclude a projection 74 sized to be received in a corresponding recess76 provided in contact portion 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8 b.Massage attachments 68 and 70 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively,remain stationary once received by contact portion 20, and includedifferent sizes and configurations of raised nodes 78 to provide gentlyconcentrated pressure to a user's foot. Massage attachment 72 includes aroller 80 which is manually rotatable, allowing a user to glide his/herfoot back and forth upon roller 80 to release tension. As best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a cap 82 is provided to be received in recess 76 when themassage attachments 68, 70, 72 are not in use. Of course, massageattachments 68, 70, 72 are shown only by way of example, and any othersuitable massage attachment may be utilized with the present invention.

[0046] FIGS. 9-21 illustrate a second embodiment of the bath apparatusaccording to the present invention, which operates substantiallysimilarly to bath apparatus 10 except for the additional motorizedmassage and bottom surface features described below. The referencenumerals for FIGS. 9-21 correspond generally with the reference numeralsfor FIGS. 1-8 except for the addition of a “1” prefix.

[0047] Bath apparatus 110 includes a contact portion 120 for receivingmassage attachments 184, 185, 186 (shown in FIGS. 14-18), whereinrotation of massage attachments 184, 185, 186 is motorized. As shown inFIG. 12, a motor 183 is disposed on an underside of bath chamber 112,and massage attachments 184, 185, 186 are adapted to be received on anoutput shaft 187 that is rotatably driven by motor 183 and adapted to beaccessible through contact portion 120. With reference to FIGS. 15 and18, massage attachments 184, 185, 186 each include a recess 188configured to securely receive output shaft 187 as it projects throughcontact portion 120. More particularly, recess 188 includes a pluralityof tabs 194 sized to be received in corresponding slots 195 provided onoutput shaft 187. Therefore, rotation of output shaft 187 causes massageattachments 184, 185, 186 to rotate, even when in contact with a user'sfoot F. Optionally, the motorized rotation of massage attachments 184,185, 186 can be activated by pressure of the foot F applied thereon,which then establishes electrical contact to supply power to motor 183.In this case, the operation of motor 183 is preferably not governed byselector 142, but rather power is supplied to motor 183 as long as bathapparatus 110 is plugged in.

[0048] Three different massage attachments for use with bath apparatus110 are illustrated in FIGS. 14-17. A first rotatable massage attachment184, as shown in FIG. 14, includes raised nodes 178 which providepressure points to gently massage a user's foot F when contacted. FIG.16 depicts a second rotatable massage attachment 185 that includes apumice stone 196 to smooth and soften skin on the soles of the feet, andFIG. 17 depicts a third rotatable massage attachment 186 that includes abrush 197 to clean and exfoliate skin. As shown in FIG. 12, a storageunit 189 is provided which is adapted to be attached to wall structure116 for storing the one or more massage attachments 184, 185, 186therein when not in use. Again, the particular massage attachments 184,185, 186 shown and described herein are merely exemplary, and any othersuitable massage attachment can be used in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 19-21, bath apparatus 110 furtherincludes a bottom surface 114 which can include rollers 190 providedthereon. A user can glide his/her foot back and forth across rollers 190to help relieve tightness and tiredness along soles of feet, as well asfor reflexology purposes. Rollers 190 include raised massage nodes 199,and are preferably rotatably attached to a roller plate 191, which isdetachable from bottom surface 114, as shown in FIGS. 21a and 21 b. Inthis embodiment, bottom surface 114 includes indented regions 192 sizedto receive roller plates 191 therein, wherein indented regions 192 areof an appropriate depth to allow for roller plates 191 to be generallylevel with bottom surface 114 when inserted. Furthermore, bottom surface114 and plates 191, 193 include mating projections 198 and recesses (notshown) for securing plates 191, 193 to bottom surface 114. When a userdoes not wish to use rollers 190, roller plate 191 can be removed andinterchanged with an alternative foot plate 193 which resembles theexisting contour of bottom surface 114.

[0050] In summary, bath apparatus 10, 110 of the present inventionprovides the capability to target specific areas of the body withtherapeutic heat and massage. Therefore, bath apparatus 10, 110 allowsusers to tailor therapy regimens to their individual needs, and alsoincreases the efficiency of therapy sessions due to the concentration ofheat and massage at desired locations.

[0051] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for bathing a body part, theapparatus comprising: a bath chamber for containing a fluid andreceiving the body part therein, the bath chamber having a contact area;and a heating member provided on the contact area, the heating memberarranged to be uncovered by fluid contained in the bath chamber forproviding heat to the body part when the body part is placed on thecontact area.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heatingmember further comprises an infrared heating element.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further including a heater in communication withthe bath chamber for maintaining the heat of the fluid containedtherein.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including an airpump in communication with the bath chamber for directing air into thebath chamber to generate air bubbles in the fluid contained within thebath chamber.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the airpump directs air through a plurality of holes provided in the bathchamber.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including avibration assembly in communication with the bath chamber for impartingvibration to the bath chamber.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1,further including a plurality of raised nodes provided on a bottomsurface of the bath chamber.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1,further including at least one massage attachment arranged to bereceived on the contact area for massaging the body part when the bodypart engages the massage attachment.
 9. The apparatus according to claim8, further including a storage unit arranged to be attached to the bathchamber for storing the at least one massage attachment therein.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the bathchamber has at least one roller provided thereon.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the rollers are detachable from thebottom surface of the bath chamber.
 12. The apparatus according to claim1, further including a lid arranged to be attached to the bath chamberto at least partially cover the bath chamber.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the bath chamber includes an upstandingwall structure and is generally U-shaped.
 14. A foot bath, comprising: abath chamber for containing water and receiving at least one foottherein, the bath chamber including a contact portion; and a heatingmember provided on the contact portion and arranged to be uncovered bywater contained in the bath chamber, the heating member providinginfrared rays to a surface of the foot when the foot surface is placedon the contact portion.
 15. The foot bath according to claim 14, furtherincluding a heater provided on an underside of the bath chamber formaintaining the heat of the water contained within the bath chamber. 16.The foot bath according to claim 14, further including an air pump incommunication with the bath chamber for directing air through aplurality of holes provided in the bath chamber to generate air bubblesin the water contained within the bath chamber.
 17. The foot bathaccording to claim 14, further including a vibration assembly incommunication with the bath chamber for imparting vibration to the bathchamber.
 18. The foot bath according to claim 14, further including atleast one massage attachment arranged to be received on the contactportion for massaging the foot surface when the foot surface engages themassage attachment.
 19. The foot bath according to claim 14, wherein abottom surface of the bath chamber has at least one roller providedthereon.
 20. The foot bath according to claim 14, wherein the bathchamber includes an upstanding wall structure and is generally U-shaped.